The watchdog agency found the backed-up emails by consulting with IRS information-technology specialists, according to TIGTA Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Tim Camus.

"They were right where you would expect them to be," he said at the rare late-night hearing, which lasted until about 10 p.m.

IRS Commissioner John Koskinen testified before Congress last year that the backups were no help in recovering Lerner's lost emails, in part because the IRS overwrites them every six months.

Camus said the IRS's technology specialists told investigators that no one from the agency asked for the tapes, raising doubts about whether the agency did its due diligence in trying to locate Lerner's emails, or possibly greater troubles.

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The watchdog agency found the backed-up emails by consulting with IRS information-technology specialists, according to TIGTA Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Tim Camus.\n\n\"They were right where you would expect them to be,\" he said at the rare late-night hearing, which lasted until about 10 p.m.\n\nIRS Commissioner John Koskinen testified before Congress last year that the backups were no help in recovering Lerner's lost emails, in part because the IRS overwrites them every six months.\n\nCamus said the IRS's technology specialists told investigators that no one from the agency asked for the tapes, raising doubts about whether the agency did its due diligence in trying to locate Lerner's emails, or possibly greater troubles.\n\n\"There is potential criminal activity,\" Camus said.